I'm interested in what those familiar with flying aircraft and with this region think: assuming he isn't found, how long do you think they would conduct this search before giving up?

Another question, and I'm not being callous, just curious: who pays for all this? I know here in Southern Cal, hikers needing rescue are charged for expenses relating to the rescue. Does Nevada have similar laws? As a taxpayer, I'd be interested in that, as he's rich and all this rescue activity must be costing a fortune. Maybe it's more fair that he should considering that he didn't file a flight plan, which seems pretty irresponsible. But I don't fly so I can't really judge.

Edit: I also meant to ask--has anyone conjectured whether he might have a reason to "disappear"? I can't think of a likely reason, but being conspiratorially minded, I wonder.

[edit on 9/8/2007 by yuefo]

I don't fit the criteria of having flown in the region but I hope you don't mind if I respond.

Does this requirement for hikers to fund the rescue costs apply across the board or only in cases where they have acted irresponsibly or against the advice or official warnings of authorities? I ask because it seems odd to me that such rescue services are otherwise being funded solely by those whose help they require and therefore will have income/budgets that vary vastly from year to year. In my country (far from the US over The Pond), malicious calls for emergency help will land the caller/s in trouble and leave them liable to footing the bill, and ditto for irresponsible types who ignore official warnings or advice, but otherwise (in genuine emergency cases where things have just gone wrong) the government dept that funds such services picks up the tab.

I understand that there was no legal requirement for Mr Fossett to file a flight plan...hard to say, then, if he would be held liable. Whatever the case, I sincerely hope that he will have the opportunity in the near future to argue the point.

EDIT: Forgot the last part of your post! No, I can't think of anything that might make him wish to "disappear". Far from it! He always seems to have new projects lined up...

[edit on 8-9-2007 by JustMike]

Since the report broke, I had a bad feeling on this one. Not because of Fossett's lack of expertise but two reasons:

- Not Filing a Flight Plan
Assuming he's out-there, there could be anywhere and any search effort can't nail down accurate topographic search-line locations or by things such as as fuels v. range.

- Restricted Bases
I suppose it would not be all that unusual at ATS, this would be my first thought since I seen the breaking news on his disappearance.
Iv'e seen so many media taped segments on interceptions by F16s on planes just getting close to a restricted zone, miles from crossing into it.

Did Fossett cross the line? Did Nellis not recognize the flight 'cause there was not a flight plan filed?

What's with the emergency beacon not being activated -- was it damaged, appreciate any expert thoughts on the beacon and how it works and what it takes to obstruct it's outgoing signal?

Dallas

Did any one see Fossett take off.

Did he take off at all.

Abducted on the ground.

The plane hidden.

Bogus reports that he did take off.

What is the truth.

Is it possible he simply had an emergency landing in a restricted area and then thinking that the military was after him rather than out to rescue him is on the run out there? Just an idea. I hope that he does return home safe to his loved ones.

Boy, loam I hope that's JUST A RUMOR! About 2-3 weeks ago we saw a LOW, LOW flying aircraft going S.E. of us. Seriously that thing was only a couple hundred feet, above the ground. So low I thought it might crash. It was either a C-130 or a B-52 I don't know the difference. I grabbed the camera, but was too late. It was out of sight. It had to be flying under radar. I didn't think anything of it, since it was a military plane. If I would have called the cops here.....They would have said, "Yeah so?"

Never seen that HUGE of a plane fly so low out here!

Loam,

That aircraft would have been just above the wild horses banking east towards the Spring Mountain Range.

Your right wenfieldsecret I don't know? Could you please tell me about these guys who came around to visit at 5:42 p.m. p.s.t. They were coming in like a bat out of H_LL! Couldn't get a good photo till they darn near reached Shadow Mountain. Looks like they had guns on 'em! Ok, I'm getting *a little* nervous now.

How weird is it that they've found six older plane crash sites which were previously unknown? I don't know, does that sound normal?

Seriously, I don't know...it just seems weird they've found that many crash sites....

Originally posted by johnlear

Tom Bedlam, known government disinfo agent is called in and Tom posts (in a masteful attempt at diversion, which not only includes NUWC but John Lear Conspiracy Theorist):

originaly posted by Tom Bedlam

OK, John, now that you guys have had your little fun, Mrs Fossett wants here husband back.

Tell the guys to dump him outside the main gate. I'm sure he's learned his lesson about overflying keep out areas.

So Bedlam here has effectively gotten NUWC off the hook by getting in the first shot, which included John Lear and making it all one ha ha ha as far as NUWC is concerned and feigning concern for Steve and Mrs. Fossett.
This is in no way meant as any disrespect for Steve as I know he would have wanted it this way.

Surely I didn't mis-spell "her". Come now.

Also hardly a known government disinfo agent. I'm hurt, truly hurt.

At any rate, there's no need to invoke death rays or whatnot, the truth is likely much more prosaic. I can think of a couple of things right off the bat that explains the lack of reception from his transponder and watch. Also the mysterious absence of wreckage.

Most likely: he had an unfortunate mechanical failure and went down in a lake. Take your pick: Lahontan Reservoir, Pyramid, Walker, Mono or Tahoe. No wreckage, no signals.

My money's on Pyramid.

I did think of the lake option....

honest.... before reading the above, so now I can comment.

Now lake inspections will have to be mustered.

Mini subs.... perhaps will have to be used.

I wonder if they will go that far or even consider it... after we thought of it.



ED: six unknown plane crashes.... it sure pays to call the FAA at the
start of a light like JFK JR did to get the N-Tap in five hours.



[edit on 9/8/2007 by TeslaandLyne]

Originally posted by Tom Bedlam

Most likely: he had an unfortunate mechanical failure and went down in a lake. Take your pick: Lahontan Reservoir, Pyramid, Walker, Mono or Tahoe. No wreckage, no signals.

My money's on Pyramid.

Unlikely. Tom, all of those lakes are north or in the Sierra Nevada. Steve was looking for a Dry Lake. He would have started out southeast towards Luning, Mina, Coaldale and east towards Mud Lake.

Probably NUWC got him, probably accidentally. You know how those things happen......unbelievably at the wrong time and wrong place. Some admiral is getting his butt chewed big time, right about now.

Oh and Tom sorry about calling you a disinformation agent. Not that you aren't...just sorry about calling you one.

How come only the search area is fresh? I've never heard of them just refreshing one spot for someone who is missing.... Anyone else finding this odd?

Ahhh okay, so the zillionaire requests and gets what he wants


I'm looking at my grandmas house and the pick is probably 2-3years old....